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One thing’s for sure: participants at our Ultimate Pizza Master Class conducted by Priya Bala are unlikely to be ordering from the pizza chains anytime soon. The reason being that they got everything they ever wanted to know about making their own pizza at home.
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Phoenix City, Indiranagar and, most recently, Koramangala – California Pizza Kitchens are popping up everywhere. Having eaten at CPK more than once, I can only say I’m glad about the arrival of the brand in Bangalore.
Constantly put off by the mass-produced stuff the ubiquitous pizza chains churn out, I am though always on the lookout for a well-made pizza. And CPK delivers to perfection. The thin crust is fab and so is the regular – nice texture and lots of flavour, too. The Meat Cravers topping, which includes Canadian bacon, is a hit-the-spot combination. I also thoroughly enjoyed the Basil Pesto, with lots of Kalamata Olives, which is a good choice for vegetarians.
But it’s not just salami and olives. CPK gets adventurous with its toppings, and has Thai-style chicken, California Kung Pao and seekh kebab on the list.
Besides pizza, there are also appetizers – like wonton rolls and crisps and dips – pasta and main courses such as Chicken Piccata and Shaky Prawns. Don’t assume portions will be slender because this is the California Pizza Kitchen, from the land of the fad diets and body worship. CPK’s plates are huge and fully loaded. The same applies to the desserts which are scrumptious. I especially loved the red velvet cake; three people could easily share one portion. The tiramisu is highly recommended, too.
While the menu is extensive, I’d say the best CPK experience would come from ordering a pizza and dessert along with a glass or two of wine. They have attractive happy hour offers on drinks, so look out for those.
About the author:
Priya Bala is a noted food critic, writer, cook and an enthusiast.
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Revathi Kolagani | Content Associate
Firstly, do not let the word junior fool you, these kids know their way around a kitchen! While making conversation with them, one could easily tell that they were very well informed and some even calling themselves “Food Guru” or “Queen Chef”. The evening started with a game of “Name the Type of Pasta” where all types had at least one correct guess. Then, the highlight of the evening, Pizza! With years of playdoh experience, the kids had no problem kneading the dough to perfect consistency.
Armed with rolling pins, they made their own unique shapes of the pizza base, circular, elliptical and even butterfly. The pizza sauce was slathered on followed by generous helpings of mozzarella cheese and different kinds of vegetables or meat. Each child got their own name tags to place on their pizza. Once that was done, they trotted off to watch their pizzas get cooked.
The excitement on their face when the pizza was ready is incomparable with each child digging in and relishing their creations.
The other part of the workshop was that they could frost a cupcake. Each kid took a painter like precision with the piping cone of icing, making different patterns. The final step was to cover them in various colours of sprinkles and off they went to cool in the fridge. In true Master Chef Spirit, there was a blind tasting game of fruit. The perfect, sweet end to the evening was the cupcake consumption as they all went home ready to try new recipes!
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by Revathi Kolagani
For those of you who are always thinking, why do we have to pay so much just to sit and eat at a restaurant?? Do not fret, you are not alone! It seems that in Bangalore, street food is always delicious (not necessarily healthy) and pocket friendly. But, you go to a restaurant; the prices seem as if you are paying to take home the chair you are sitting on! Well here are a few value for money restaurants where the bill amount is well within Rs.250 for TWO :D
The first being Sweet Chariot, Residency Road, an old school favourite, quite literally for many of us who have studied in schools close by and grown up eating here. Though this franchise has several outlets all over the city, I find that this one has the best food. The minute you walk in, the aroma of freshly baked bread and frosting greets you. That is simply enough to get your saliva glands going! Every waiter here is kind and always smiling! If you are in a dilemma to choose from all their delectable items, do ask for a recommendation, they will never disappoint. The Margherita pizza is simple yet appetizing and the thin crust makes it a cheese lovers delight as you pull a slice up, enjoy the elasticity of the cheese strands as the colour is a gorgeous yellow with a sheen. The Chicken Pepper Steak is succulent and well marinated with a generous serving of the pepper sauce which makes you want to buy a whole vat and dive in! I could write an entire book just describing all the wonderful dishes on the menu, but do try the Lasagne, Mushroom Quiche, Sweet Corn soup, cheese garlic bread, chocolate mousse cake and lemon tart.
Tselha Anze, Shantinagar is the best non-oily comfort food, where steamed or boiled food is anything but bland. With several restaurants offering Tibetan cuisine, this I find has the best portions and seating area. This eatery is frequented by college students and their teachers alike. One thing that is very unique about the place is that you are given a menu along with a notepad so you can write down your order, food is brought to your table and once you are done, you go up to the counter and pay. The interaction is kept to a bare minimum. The chicken manchow soup is mind-blowing with the right amount of spice and a crunch from the fried noodles sprinkled on top and provides an amazing textural food experience. Thenthuk is another kind of soup with square pieces of cooked dough and hearty portions of your preferred meat or vegetables in it which is very filling and a meal on its own. Do not give the momo’s a miss, the steamed variety is the best! No matter what kind of filling it has, the minute you dip it in some chilli sauce and bite in, all the savoury juices come oozing out and tingle your taste buds. All in all a good,satisfying, healthy meal!
Bobby da Dhaba, Ulsoor is a little hard to find since it has shifted from its old location near the gurudwara, to a by lane near the Fotoflash. Try and avoid this place on weekends if you are ravenous, because you will wait for your table for at least 20 minutes. This place is all about VEGETARIAN “desi khana”, they have limited seating, so if it’s just two of you, do not be surprised if you end up sharing your table with others.All the food is served piping hot and with a big dollop of butter. Order the buttermilk which is served in large steel tumblers to wash down your food. The parathas arrive stacked on a plate and you feel like you are playing hot hands when you grab one.The Baigan da Bartha(love how Punjabi that sounds) is perfectly seasoned and is a hot favourite here as is the Dal Makhni.You cannot go wrong with anything you order here! Dig in to the steaming hot food with a large slice of onion by your side and be prepared to skip the next meal.Thing to note at the restaurant is that there are no prices on the menu,so once you are done and stagger to the counter whilst rubbing your belly, tell the host what you had(preferably in Hindi) and let him tell you the amount you have to pay. Don’t worry! It will not be outrageously expensive.
These are just a few of my favourites,do comment and let me know if you disagree or want to a few words
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